COVID-19 Testing – How and Where to get Tested in South Australia
If you think you may have COVID-19, the current advice from SA Health is to test for the virus and stay at home to help protect the health and wellbeing of all South Australians and help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Updated Wednesday 21 May 2024
Testing for COVID-19
You should test for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. Common symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, nasal congestion and sneezing.
It is especially important to test early if you are at higher risk of severe illness or you are eligible for oral antiviral treatment, or you are in contact with or work with people who are at higher risk or eligible for antiviral treatment.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms but test negative, stay at home until you are well.
Find more information about managing COVID-19 at home (healthdirect website) here.
Rapid antigen test
Most people can do a rapid antigen test (RAT) at home.
You should use a rapid antigen test if you are at low risk of severe COVID-19 illness but have symptoms.
If you test positive using a rapid antigen test, your result does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.
Click here for more information about reporting your rapid antigen test results.
Accessing free rapid antigen tests
To help with early detection and treatment of COVID-19, eligible people can access five free rapid antigen tests from RAT Collection Points.
Free rapid antigen tests are available for:
- people with disability or who are immunocompromised
- a carer of someone with disability or who is immunocompromised
- eligible Concession Card holders (including Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card and Department of Veterans Affairs Concession Card)
You do not need to register before collecting free rapid antigen tests, but you will be required to show your eligible concession card.
A mask will be required when accessing free rapid antigen tests from RAT Collection Points. Avoid attending if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
Find out more about accessing free RAT Tests here
PCR testing
PCR testing is recommended for people with COVID-19 symptoms who test negative using a rapid antigen test who are:
- at higher risk of severe illness – find out more here
- eligible for oral antiviral treatment – find out more here
If you are at higher risk, make a plan with your GP or healthcare professional about what you should do if you get symptoms.
Your doctor may give you a referral for a PCR test or give you a PCR self-collect test to use if you get symptoms.
You need a GP referral to have PCR testing at select dedicated SA Pathology sites and private pathology providers.
Find out more about PCR testing here
Click here for information about where to go for Medical Care
Call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency, such as having difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
If you would like to know more about COVID-19, or feel that you have some symptoms, please call your local SA Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
Advice from SA Health
To protect yourself and others and help stop the spread of coronavirus:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Practice good hygiene like covering coughs and sneezes and wiping down surfaces.
- Stay 1.5 metres apart wherever you can.
- Stay at home if you are unwell.
- Get tested for COVID-19 as soon as symptoms appear, no matter how mild.
- Wear a face mask when required or when you can’t physically distance..
Face Masks
Face masks are an additional physical barrier and help to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Read more about face masks here
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 IN SA
OFFICIAL RESOURCES
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19
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At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: SA Health
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